Under the chairmanship of Mr. Michael Taylor, the 11-member board is a blend of veterans and future leaders forming a uniquely diversified, yet coherent mix dedicated to advancing the mission of public higher education at ϲʹ.
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Michael Taylor began his career as a Community Organizer in a public housing project in Boston and until recently was President of the Urban College of Boston (UCB). UCB’s student population is over 90% minority making it one of the most diverse private (non-profit) two-year colleges in New England. Prior to UCB, Michael served as the Commonwealth’s Director of Workforce Development and as President of the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology. Earlier in his career, Michael was the Executive Director of the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC). Under his leadership, the PIC established Project Pro-Tech which became the model for a $250 million-dollar national school to work transition initiative established by President Clinton’s administration.
Michael earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Boston State College and a Master of Education from Harvard University. Michael was an adjunct faculty member at Boston College/Woods College of Advancing Studies. His service to the community has included many board memberships. Michael has received numerous awards and recognitions, among those are the: Balfour Foundation Fellowship, Boston State College’s Education for Service Award and Robert M. Coard Distinguished Leadership Medal.
Dr. Battaglino is Dean Emeritus of the College of Education and Health Sciences at ϲʹ. She played a key leadership role promoting the advancement of technology in education, urban school partnerships, projects focused on increasing science, technology, engineering and math teachers, and international ventures geared at improving conditions for individuals with disabilities. The focus of her recent research is the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on individuals with Down Syndrome.
Dr. Battaglino spent 30 years as a special education professor promoting the values of social justice, diversity, and inclusion and conducted numerous workshops nationally and internationally. She was invited to a White House Summit for her leadership in improving technology training for teacher preparation. Also, she accepted the 2017 National Best Practice Award in Support of Global and International Perspectives on behalf of the College of Education and Health Sciences at ϲʹ at the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education. Dr. Battaglino has been part of international educational exploratory teams to Belize, Moscow, Singapore, Cape Verde, and China.
She has contributed to scholarly journals and written book chapters in 15 Letters on Education from Singapore (Lulu Publishing Services) and Remembering Massachusetts State Normal Schools: Pioneers in Teacher Education (Institute for Massachusetts Studies).
Dr. Battaglino currently serves on Governor Baker’s Rural School Commission. In addition, she serves on the ϲʹ Foundation and is active on both the Investment and Student Engagement Committees.
Dr. Battaglino received a Bachelor of Education in Special and Elementary Education (B.S.) from ϲʹ in 1979, a master’s degree in Special Education (M.Ed.) from Boston College in 1981, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from Boston College in 1991.
Ms. Carolyn (Van Buskirk) Turchon’s philanthropic leadership at ϲʹ is highlighted by her long-term commitment to donate $1 million to the University, which continues to be one of the largest gifts ever received by ϲʹ. As a past member of the ϲʹ Foundation for two decades, former two term president of the Bridgewater Alumni Association, and co-chair of the Class of 1962 50th Reunion Planning Committee, Carolyn continues to be actively engaged in University life by participating in the Shea Scholar Committee as well as the Jordan Fiore Fund Committee. The Bridgewater Alumni Association (BAA) has recognized Carolyn’s leadership by bestowing upon her its 2003 Dr. George A. Weygand Award for Outstanding Service to the BAA.
In her professional capacity, Carolyn was president of Homes Incorporated. The company was a real estate management firm based in Newton that owned and operated a number of large rental properties throughout Newton and Metro West. Carolyn took ownership of the company upon the passing of her husband and served as chief executive officer for eighteen years until she sold the company in 2007.
Carolyn's volunteer leadership is in her community by taking responsibilities within town government and local organizations in the Boston Metro West region, including six years on the Sherborn Finance Advisory Committee. She also spends time being an active member of two civic organizations: the Daughters of the American Founders and Patriots and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Carolyn currently resides in Yarmouth Port, MA, and Estero, Florida where she enjoys spending her time with her children and grandchildren as well as golfing and water sports.
Founder, Davede Alexander, leads Innovo’s operations. He has a prominent reputation for targeted recruitment specializing in hard-to-reach markets. He created the highly successful and widely acclaimed outreach initiative that helped the United States Naval Academy to meet and exceed its candidate pool objectives. Serving as the Director of Strategic Outreach, his leadership, management and strategic vision ensured the Academy met all its recruitment goals. Davede’s success at USNA garnered widespread attention from numerous companies and organizations desiring the same results in their recruiting efforts. The programs and recruiting systems he initiated are the exclusive added value that Innovo can bring to clients. Davede was awarded the distinguished Black Engineer of the Year Award for Diversity Leadership in Government and is a sought after advisor and consultant for all types of recruiting. Offered a Brand Management position by Proctor and Gamble in 2008, Davede instead remained with the Naval Academy to establish a marketing department, later evolving into strategic outreach. He has served as a Naval Officer in various leadership positions. Serving from 2001 to 2008, he was involved in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom support roles. Mr. Alexander thrives in team oriented environments, earning his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the Naval Academy while competing as a Division I football player.
Tiffany is a well-diversified, highly qualified, and compassionate individual who has many interests and professional relationships which makes her a unique person to interact with as she continues her efforts to improve herself while helping others. Some present affiliations are highlighted below.
She has served in many different capacities during her 15-year tenure with the Plymouth Old Colony YMCA Board of Governors and is presently the Chairman of the Board of Governors for the past 7 years. For the past 15 years her fundraisings strategies and passion to help families/children in need has resulted in her raising approximately $270,000 this past year. She continues to reach out to make long-term connections to ensure this impressive progression.
Another volunteer effort that is near and dear to her heart is sitting on the Board for the local Plymouth Sunrise Rotary Club. She joined in 2014 and over the years has served as Treasurer, Vice President and most recently nominated as President which she is now actively serving. She lives their motto to a Tee which is "Service Above Self".
Tiffany is proud to be a member of the Salvation Army Board of Governors for 3+ years. "Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination." This requires her to meet with fellow Board members to discuss, agree, and implement how to best serve the community they represent.
She currently serves on the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce sitting on the Board of Governors.
Although the aforementioned are an impressive snapshot of her passion and are a testament of her selfless nature, the following are her other endeavors: President and CEO of K-9 Mercantile Protection - Woman/minority owned security company since 1999; co-owner of ST Materials & Equipment Supply Company; and owner of various investment properties.
Tiffony received her Associate’s Degree, Liberal Arts & Sciences, from Massasoit Community College.
Mr. Francis Giles is a freelance photojournalist who was a White House accredited photographer. He has held positions at CBS Radio, Inc. as editorial director; The Washington Post as general assignment reporter and Veterans Affairs sub-beat; as well as adjunct professor of photography at Rhode Island School of Design, Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, University of Vermont and others.
Mr. Giles is an Eagle Scout and longtime Boy Scouts leader and thoroughly enjoys his volunteer opportunities.
Francis holds a BA in photography from Burlington College, Certificate in Digital Photography from Rhode Island School of Design, Graduate Studies in the history of photography from Goddard College and Graduate Invitational Photography Studies with Minor White from MIT.
Mr. F. Scott Longo, '89 is vice president within the Global Operations Division at State Street Corporation. Mr. Longo joined State Street in 1989 and has held numerous positions in his 27 years at the international financial services firm.
A proud ϲʹ alumnus (Bachelor of Arts in History), he has given back to his alma mater in many ways. He is past president of the ϲʹ Alumni Association, former vice chairman of the ϲʹ Foundation, current chairman of the Annual Fund committee and previously served as the student member of the ϲʹ Board of Trustees as an undergraduate.
Mr. Longo is on the Advisory Committee for Crossroads for Kids, an assistant scout master for Troop #88 in Bridgewater and was a member of the Pastoral Council of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Bridgewater.
Most recently, Dr. Jean MacCormack served for 13 years as chancellor, UMass Dartmouth. She has been a faculty member, center director, dean, and vice chancellor for administration and finance, deputy chancellor and chancellor at UMass Boston. She is a distinguished educator and leader in higher education. She has a bachelor's degree from Emmanuel College in English Literature and a master's and doctoral degree in Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Jean continues to serve as chair of the SouthCoast Hospitals Board; Director of Bristol County Savings Bank and is devoting time to a new book on transformative leadership.
Walter Prince is a partner at the Boston law firm Prince Lobel Tye LLP. Mr. Prince has more than four decades of experience in transportation, commercial law, and civil and white-collar criminal litigation. He’s worked as a federal prosecutor and defense attorney, conducted internal investigations for Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions and sports programs, served as the MBTA’s general counsel, and participated in committees that recommended and reviewed candidates for state and federal judgeships.
Walter has received many prestigious recognitions. A few include: 2021 Boston’s “Lawyer of the Year,” Criminal Defense: General Practice, Best Lawyers in America©; 2019 Boston “Lawyer of the Year,” Litigation – Banking & Finance, Best Lawyers; and 2017 Recipient of the American Board of Trial Advocates’ Robert Morris Trial Lawyer Award for his contributions to the legal profession.
Mr. Prince is a former president of the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association, the former vice president of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Conference of Black Lawyers and the former vice president of the Ford Hall Forum.
Walter studied history and education at Boston State College, which later merged with the University of Massachusetts Boston. As a junior, he decided to attend law school and ultimately earned his Juris Doctor from Boston College.
Michael J. Vieira’s professional career has been in the field of education for most of his life. Dr. Vieira worked at B.M.C. Durfee High School as an English/Journalism Teacher and Publications Advisor for 20 years. He also had a distinguished career at Bristol Community College (serving as the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean for Business and Information Management as well as other roles during the time period 1999 through 2013). Michael has also served as an adjunct/part-time instructor for Wentworth Institute of Technology, Eastern Nazarene College, ϲʹ, Roger Williams University, and UMass Dartmouth.
Dr. Vieira has several published books and journals; has international education experience (participated in student educational trips to Barcelona, England, Ireland, etc.; Disquiet Writing Conference in Lisbon and the Azores; the annual Community Colleges for International Development Conference, etc.) and has received numerous awards, honors and certifications.
Michael has been an active member of ϲʹ’s Alumni Board since 2015, most recently serving as its secretary.
Dr. Vieira earned his Bachelor of Arts in English and Master of Arts in the Teaching of English from ϲʹ; Certificate of Advance Graduate Study in Educational Administration from Rhode Island College and his PhD in Education, Leadership for Higher Education Specialization from Capella University.